How to Draw Realistic Eyes: My Process and Essential Tips

6/7/2018

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)

Do you find your eye drawings look slightly "off" and have trouble pinpointing areas of improvement? Have you wondered what you can do to make your drawings of facial elements look a bit more realistic? Would you like to take your portrait drawings a step further and give them more expression and life?

A lot of artists love drawing eyes (myself included) and this makes total sense! I really believe eyes are the windows to the soul. They play a huge role in portraiture because they have the ability of expressing emotion and the story behind the subject on hand.

In this blog post, I'll be sharing the method I go through when drawing realistic eyes, as well as the key components of eyes that should always be included in order to make them look believable. To finish up, I will also be sharing a few essential tips to have in mind whenever attempting to draw anything realistically.

Drawing portraits, or any individual facial element, is difficult and requires practice. We are used to seeing faces day-in-and-day-out, which makes us highly susceptive to noticing mistakes in a portrait drawing or painting.

Even if a non-artist wasn't able to decipher where the error is located specifically, he/she will most likely know that something doesn't look quite right.

This makes it essential for us, as artists, to study facial features in isolation and understand their structures and proportions, as well as their appropriate location within the head area.

This knowledge, together with an effective rendering of values, is what will make a portrait (or facial elements) look believable.

I highly recommend checking out this past blog post in which I explain why studying facial features individually will help you improve your portraits and what I personally do to study them:
Improve Your Portrait Artwork By Doing This One Thing

Also, learn about how and when it's okay to use other people's photographs as art references in this blog post:
When and How to Use Other People's Photographs to Create Art

Realistic eye drawings by Erika Lancaster. Sketchbook studies.

How to Draw Realistic Eyes

You will need:

-Pencils (HB, 2B, 6-8B)
-Eraser stick or kneaded eraser
-Regular rubber lead eraser
-Sharpener
-Blending stump
-Drawing paper (sketchbook or Bristol board)
*Optional: Ruler

Drawing Process:

1. Start with a great, high-quality photo reference

When attempting to draw anything realistically, it's extremely important to use a great photographic reference (unless you're drawing from life but we will not be getting into this at the moment as this is more of a beginner-oriented tutorial).

Why? Working with a reference allows us to develop our observational skills, which is absolutely key. As artists looking to improve the sense of realism in our work, me must learn to see.

Not to mention, a reference informs us about what the subject actually looks like and reminds us of details that we can easily forget if we didn't have it. These details can make or break our drawings/paintings!

It's important to draw our subject how it actually looks like in real life and not how we think it looks like.

What makes a high-quality photograph?

For the most part, you want to look for pictures that demonstrate good lighting and have a high resolution that allows you to zoom in to clearly see details as needed.

Find a list of my favorite free, quality image sites in my blog post titled:
My Favorite Free Image Sites and Two Examples of References With Finished Illustrations

Reference picture from Pixabay.com. Click on picture to go to original source.

Reference picture cut at close-up of eyes and desaturated for studying purposes.

2. Create your preliminary outline sketch

You want to start out any drawing by creating a light sketch that integrates all necessary elements and demonstrates effective proportion and placement of each of these elements in regards to each other.

For this initial sketch, use your harder-lead pencil (H-HB).

Because achieving adequate proportion and location of individual facial elements is very important when drawing faces, I like creating guidelines for myself in the form of small ticks before actually starting my drawing.

I use a ruler or another tool to measure out sizes and distances as needed, as well as vertical and horizontal lines to keep things in alignment.

After having studied facial proportions, I know that there should be a certain symmetry to eyes and that the width of one eye should be able to fit between the two.

Learn about facial proportions and adequate locations of facial elements in this blog post:
How to Draw a Face (for Beginners)

Though there are many different eye shapes out there, there are certain key parts of eyes that are always at least partially visible and, therefore, you should make sure to integrate them into your drawing.

Though there isn't a set sequence that you must to draw these individual elements in, do make sure to leave your eyelashes until the end!

Always include the following:
a) The shape that represents the visible part of the eyeball
b) The pupil (darkest/blackest part in of the eye)
c) The iris (the part of the eye that contains color) *This part is almost NEVER visible in its entirety, unless you want your subject to look very surprised! It usually has darker edges and flecks of lighter color within it.
d) At least some reflection within the pupil and iris *These reflections give life to the eye and create the effect of eyes being moist.
e) The tear-duct in the inner corner of the eye
f) The tear-line along the bottom eyelid
g) The crease above the upper eyelid
h) The eyebrow
i) The eyelashes (which I highly recommend drawing until the very end)

*Notice how each of these are present in your selected picture before actually drawing them out.

Establishing a few initial guidelines will help us ensure that our eyes will have effective proportion and location.

Drawing initial eye sketch (a).

Drawing initial eye sketch (b).

Drawing initial eye sketch (c).

3. Start developing values and textures gradually

This is the part of the process that is probably going to take the longest, but take your time and observe your reference picture constantly.

Remember it's different values (highlights, midtones and darks) that give a drawing a sense of three-dimensional form. Therefore, you should observe where these different values are located within your subject so that you're able to recreate them.

Seriously! Around 50% of your time should be spent observing!

If you're having trouble with this, I recommend two things:
a) Choose a better picture with clearer lights/shadows, or
b) Desaturate your picture in Photoshop or another photo-editing software so you can see it in grayscale as opposed to full- color.*You can also do this in Gimp, which is a free photo-editing software you can download for free.

Using your softer-grade pencils (starting with 2B and progressing to 6B-8B as needed), take your time developing a wide range of values in layers, working from lights to darks as you go.

If you need help understanding different pencil grades, I highly recommend checking out my Drawing for the Total Beginner Mini-Course, which you can access for free after joining my art email insider list. I explain all about pencil grades in the first class of this course!

When it comes to shading, I always like starting in the darkest areas than I'm able to perceive in my reference picture, but I lay down my graphite lightly. I know that darkest darks are going to get developed incrementally, in layers.

Lay down your layers of graphite by exerting only a small amount of pressure on your paper and use your blending stump to create smooth transitions between your different values, as well as to get rid of any visible pencil lines.

Do your best not to cover up areas of highlights (lightest lights) with graphite. If you do cover them, no worries. You can pick up those highlights again later using a kneaded eraser or a Mono Zero eraser.

You should end up with parts that look almost entirely white, parts that look very dark, and an ample range of mid-tones in between.

Make sure that you create gradual transitions between your values and stay away from leaving visible outlines and harsh marks!

Remember, there are no visible outlines in realism!

Many beginners tend to believe that the sclera (the white part of the eyeball) should be left completely white, but it's not! There is shadow within the sclera created by the top eyelid and, usually, at the corners (which helps create the spherical shape of the eyeball).

Once again, don't guess. Observe your reference picture and make sure to develop your values as you see them.

When drawing the hair texture of the eyebrows, create a variety in values and draw them incrementally, starting from lights and making your way towards darks as you go.

Work back and forth as much as you need to, until you arrive at a good sense of three-dimensional form.

Resist the urge to add in your eyelashes until the end!

Developing values (a).

Developing values (b).

Developing values (c).

Developing values (d).

4. Establish a bit of form around the eyes to bring them together

Our eyes are spherical forms that are set in deep sockets in our skulls. They also have a large protruding form in between them (the nose) and a brow bone above them.

All of these things create nooks and crannies, and interesting shadows around our eyes. Take your drawing a bit further and bring your eyes together by adding in the shadows you see around them.

I like using my blending stump for this, gliding it gently in the areas where I need to create shadows. By this point in the drawing process it usually has plenty of graphite collected in its tip, but if yours doesn't, simply lay down more graphite where you see fit, making sure to start lightly.

Creating form around the eyes (a).

Creating form around the eyes (b).

Creating form around the eyes (c).

5. Draw the eyelashes

When you're done with the development of your values, it's time to draw in the eyelashes! For this part of the process, I like using my HB pencil, and I need to make sure that it's nice and sharp.

Natural eyelashes aren't perfect. Some of them are shorter than others, they are set at irregular distances from each other, and they go off in different directions depending on the angle and the direction the eye is looking towards. Also, many of them overlap!

Because the eyeball has a sphere-like structure, eyelashes located the inner-corner of the eye (close to the tear duct) tend to curl toward the nose, those in the middle section of the eyelid curl straight forward, and those in the outer corner of the eye curl away from the face.

Of course, the curl is generally emphasized more when drawing females than males and there are eyelashes that are completely straight.

Once again, draw what you see in the picture.

Another thing to note is that, usually, eyelashes located in the inner-corner of the eye and those along the lower eyelid are a lot shorter.

Be very careful not to oversaturate your eyelashes and create a variety amongst them in terms of value and thickness. This is easier said than done!

When drawing males, I've found that the less lashes I can get away with, the better!

Keep the aforementioned characteristics in mind and remember that natural things are imperfect.

Drawing eyelashes (a).

Drawing eyelashes (b).

And we're done!

Realistic eye pencil drawing by Erika Lancaster.

Key tips to have in mind for realistic drawings:

1. Take your time choosing (or producing) a great reference picture.

2. Realize that value is more important than color and train yourself to discern highlights, mid-tones and shadows in your reference images.

3. Get used to observing your references constantly throughout the drawing process.

4. Draw what you see and not what you think things look like.

5. Steer clear of outlines and stark shapes (embrace subtleties).

6. Develop a wide variety in values and create gradual transitions between them.

Become a Patreon community member to get access to:

-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!

*Click below to learn more!

I hope you found this post helpful! Which facial feature do you find most difficult to draw? Is it the eyes, nose, lips, ears....? Let me know in the comments section below! :)

Guide to Shading Techniques: Hatching, Cross-hatching, Scribbling

Why Sketchbooks are Essential Tools for Artists

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How to Draw a Room Using 1-Point Perspective

5/10/2018

5 Comments

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)

Does the word 'perspective' scare you off from creating more complex artworks? Do you feel like being too precise and using grids takes away from the fun of creating art? Would you love to be able to create drawings or paintings that effectively transmit a sense of depth and space, but don't know where to start?

The term 'perspective' basically refers to our point of view when we're in a specific, fixed location. Depending on where you're sitting or standing right now, you're going to have a different perspective of your surroundings when compared to a person sitting on the opposite side of the room, or even from someone sitting/standing next to you at a different height or slightly different angle!

To create believable three-dimensionality and depth on flat surfaces like paper or canvas, artists make use of grids and/or lines that assist them in creating optical illusions.

Though perspective may be more evident in artworks featuring indoor or outdoor scenery, it's actually present in all types of art, whether it's a portrait, a still-life, or anything in between. Make no mistake, perspective is a fundamental topic to understand in order to achieve believable and compositionally-sound drawings or paintings.

In today's post (and YouTube video!), we're focusing on 1-Point Perspective, which is the perfect place to start for the beginner artist. I'll be walking you through an initial exercise using simple three-dimensional geometric shapes that will allow you a proper warm-up, and then we'll be applying our knowledge to draw the inside of a room!

*A quick caveat before moving on: If you feel you don't have enough practice drawing simple, three-dimensional geometric shapes, you may want to practice drawing these a few times before continuing with the first drawing exercise.

Feel free to grab and print these two PDF's with steps for drawing cubes, rectangular prisms, etc.

3D-Geometric shapes A. Click to download printable PDF.

3D-Geometric shapes B. Click to download printable PDF.

A while back I wrote a very thorough guide to both One-Point and Two-Point Perspectives, which includes several more free downloadable worksheets/templates. In that post, I explain a lot of key terms related to perspective that you should definitely know about and also provide numerous examples of perspective in both famous artworks and modern photography.

Check it out here:
Perspective for Beginners: How to Use 1 and 2 Point Perspectives to Create Great Artwork

The 1-Point Perspective Grid

The 1-Point Perspective grid

One, Two and Three-Point Perspectives are all categorized as ¨Linear Perspectives¨. This means that they rely on the use of straight lines to depict three-dimensional space and the forms within it. In other words, to apply these techniques we will need to prepare for our drawings by creating grids which will be erased later on.

What these grids do, is allow us to create the illusion that objects get smaller and smaller as they get further away from us, while objects closer to us will appear larger.

These grids also allow us to establish our vanishing point(s), which represents the furthest point from us in the distance. The 1-Point Perspective grid contains one vanishing point, while the 2-Point Perspective grid contains two, and so on.

The 1-Point Perspective grid, is very useful when we're trying to draw a subject front-on. Surfaces of objects facing the viewer are drawn in their flat, undistorted shapes.

However, sides of shapes that are not facing the viewer are created by diagonal lines that converge at our single vanishing point in the distance.

The following are included in a One-Point Perspective grid:

1. Horizon Line
This is the line that separates sky from land (in landscapes) or sky from water (in seascapes). It is also referred to as the "eye-level" of the viewer. The Horizon Line doesn't necessarily have to be right in the middle of your picture. In fact, it is a lot better, compositionally speaking, if it is somewhere below or even above the halfway point of your drawing area. Objects above the horizon line are drawn as if you're looking up at them, while objects below it are drawn as if you're looking down at them.

2. Vanishing Point
The Vanishing Point is placed somewhere on the Horizon Line and it represents the farthest point in your picture. When creating a grid, this point is were the Orthogonal Lines all meet.

3. Orthogonal Lines
Orthogonal Lines (also known as Convergence or Vanishing Lines) are key when drawing perspective. They are diagonal and recede back into the vanishing point. A perspective grid can have many Orthogonal Lines or very few of them, depending on the complexity of the picture. The more elements in the picture, the more lines you will probably have to include in your grid.

4. Transversal Lines
These are completely horizontal or vertical lines that are either parallel or perpendicular to the horizon line. They form rectangles or right angles along the grid and are especially useful when drawing interiors (which we'll be doing today!).

5. Vantage Point
The Vantage Point refers to the specific place from which a scene is viewed. This point can actually be very high (referred to as bird's-eye) or very low (referred to as worm's-eye). It is crucial to decide where the Vantage Point is going to be in the very beginning because this will affect the placement and size of all elements within the composition.

Let's get started!

Supplies You'll Need:
-1 pencil with harder lead (4H, 2H or H)
-1 pencil with softer lead (B, 2B or 4B)
-Ruler
-Sharpener
-Soft eraser
-A few sheets of regular printing paper
*Optional: Black drawing pen

Drawing Exercise #1: 3D Shapes Using the 1-Point Perspective Grid

3-Dimensional shapes drawn on a 1-Point Perspective grid.

Steps:

1. Using a ruler and your hard-lead pencil, draw a simple 1-Point Perspective grid. Pick a point within your drawing space (it doesn't necessarily have to be right smack in the center of it). With your ruler, draw lines intersecting at this point. Draw enough lines to fill the majority of your drawing space, but keep them as light as possible!

2. Using a softer-lead pencil, start drawing flat, two dimensional squares or rectangles anywhere within your grid. Do your best to keep your lines as straight as possible and help yourself with your ruler if needed. These flat shapes will be the 'planes' or sides of objects facing you.

3. Pin-point the innermost corners of your shapes (the ones closest to the vanishing point) and, using a ruler, draw lines from these corners to your vanishing point. Make sure your ruler is perfectly aligned with the corners of your shapes and your vanishing point. *Notice that some shapes are going to have two planes (or sides) showing and others will have three, depending on their location within your grid.

4. Close these shapes anywhere you'd like using horizontal or vertical lines. Make sure to protect those right angles and keep your lines as parallel as possible!

5. Extra step: Shade some of your shape's sides, just make sure to keep it consistent throughout (if you start shading the innermost planes of your shapes, keep the front planes unshaded).

Read my blog post titled Guide to Shading Techniques: Hatching, Cross-Hatching, Scribbling and Others to learn some fast shading methods!

Drawing Exercise #2: Drawing a Room Using the 1-Point Perspective Grid

Room interior drawing showing One-Point Perspective.

Process:

1. Using a ruler and your hard-lead pencil, draw a flat rectangle in good size somewhere near the center of your drawing space (this will represent the back wall of your room).

This rectangle doesn't necessarily have to be perfectly centered by any means, but make sure that you're leaving enough space around it so you have enough area to add things into your room!

*Don't make this rectangle to small or narrow, as it will make your room look more like a long hallway. And don't make your rectangle to big, as this will make it seem like your standing too close to your back wall!

2. Create a very light cross in the center of your rectangle/back wall by aligning your ruler to opposite corners of your rectangle (top-left to bottom-right and top-right to bottom-left). Make a dot right where these diagonal lines intersect. This will represent your vanishing point.

3. Next, you're drawing the four corners of your room! To do this, align your ruler with your vanishing point and each of the corners of your back wall to draw four lines outward.

Fill up the rest of the area on your floor, ceiling and walls with light lines like we did in the first exercise. Avoid filling in your back wall with lines, as you won't be needing them there.

4. Switch to your softer-lead pencil and re-trace the corners of your room to make them a bit darker. This will allow you to better visualize your floor, walls and ceiling.

5. Start adding in windows, doors, rugs or whatever you'd like to include in your room using your diagonal grid lines. Start by adding in flat decorative items (posters, doors, windows) and once you've got that down, begin experimenting with using 3-dimensional shapes as foundations for more complex pieces of furniture!

Remember, rectangular prisms and cubes can basically be used to start off drawings of tables, shelves, beds and even sofas!

*Check out the embedded video and pause as many times as you need to to see how I do it, step-by-step.

Vincent Van Gogh's famous Bedroom in Arles is an excellent example of a famous artwork showing the interior of a room. Where would you say the Vanishing Point in this work is located?

Bedroom in Arles painting by Vincent Van Gogh (1888) showing 1-Point Perspective.

Notice how the Vanishing Point in this room is off-center! In many cases, placing this point off-center actually makes a work more interesting!

Bedroom in Arles painting by Vincent Van Gogh (1888) with 1-Point Perspective grid.

Even though creating perspective may sound complicated and like an intricate process when we're just starting out, I promise you that it's not as hard as it seems and it will come naturally to you after some practice!

Not to mention, these types of drawings usually lead to very satisfying results and provide us with much needed visualization practice that will improve our artistic skills tremendously!

Take your time with this, have fun, and move on to creating 2-Point Perspective drawings once you've grasped the concept! :)

Become a Patreon community member to get access to:

-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!

*Click below to learn more!

What's your favorite masterpiece or famous artwork that demonstrates 1-Point Perspective? I'd LOVE to know in the comments section below!

geometric_shapes1.pdf
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Beginner's Guide to Shading Techniques Hatching, Cross-hatching, Scribbling

How to Draw from Direct Observation and Why It's Important

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When and How to Use Other People's Photographs to Create Art

12/12/2017

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How and When to Use Other People's Photos to Create Art

Do you find yourself constantly using other people's photographs as references when creating art? Have other people's comments about this being wrong ever made you feel guilty or less of an artist? Are you constantly making sure to do whatever you can with your time and resources to move your artistic progress forward or do you frequently go for what's most convenient?

Sorry to burst your bubble people, but artists use references to create artwork. All types of references! And there's nothing wrong with that.

This post is going to be the first in a four-part series about the use of visual references when creating figurative artwork (notice abstract art is not mentioned here though many abstract artists also use either photographic or real-life references they have set up). As most of you artists already know, this is quite a touchy and even controversial topic that a lot of people prefer not getting into.

However, it's important that we do. I see a lot of confusion and guilt on part of beginner artists who have been led to believe that using references is wrong. There's also a prevailing myth (usually thought by beginners and non-artists) that says that artists simply must be able to create art from imagination and using no references at all.

In this series, I will be discussing and exploring the following reference-using methods with you:

1. Using Other People's Photographs to Create Art (when it's okay to use other people's photos and how to do it in a way that will ensure your artistic progress)

2. Creating Artwork Based on Your Own Photography (click here to learn fast and easy ways to produce your own reference pictures)

3. Why Drawing from Direct Observation is Essential and 10 Tips to Improve (click here to learn why this drawing/painting method is so important in order to progress artistically)

4. Using Collage as an Effective Method to Create Unique and Expressive Art (click here to find out why collage is so powerful and how you can use it to your advantage)

These posts will shed some light on how and when to use each of these methods effectively. I believe there should be space for all of them within an artistic journey and I personally use them all. Every blog post will include a time-lapse video in which I will be showing you how I complete an artwork using each method.

Being able to create engaging artwork using a reference photograph (or whatever type of reference for that matter) is not easy. It requires a deep understanding of Art Fundamentals, as well as a lot of previous practice with artistic media.

Not to mention the ability to recreate, by hand, what is being taken in through the eyes. It requires serious observational skills, analysis, patience, and whole lot of effort.

I get comments myself from adults that believe that, since I'm an artist, I can probably draw anything from knowledge/imagination. I probably can. However, I won't end up with the aesthetic I'm generally going for with my art.

If I don't have a visual reference to work from as I am creating my drawings or paintings, I'll end up with something too cartoony for my taste. Having a reference ensures that I won't forget important characteristics or details that I would like to include.

Go to my blog post titled My Favorite Free Image Sites & Two Examples of References with Finished Illustrations to find a list of my favorite quality, free-image sites.

There are artists out there who have the ability to create amazingly realistic drawings from imagination. This is usually because they have practiced and studied specific subjects for years, which has allowed them to understand the structure of what they are drawing/painting fully, form a visual library in their minds that covers important characteristics, and even developed muscle memory to recreate shape and line easily.

All this said, I always stay away from tracing and creating exact replicas of photographs.

This is ok when an artist is just starting out (or if its intentionally what you're going for), but as soon as basic observation/drawing skills are attained, I always encourage drawing freehand and using references as something to loosely base drawings or paintings off of.

Some of my favorite artists in history used reference images:

Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell. After the Prom. Oil on canvas. 1957.

Alphose Mucha

Alphonse Mucha. Emerald. Colour lithograph. 1900.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Couple at Restaurant. Oil and gouache on cardboard. 1891.

Notice how all of these artworks are intentionally modified, added to and even distorted in order to communicate ideas more effectively. The final artwork, in my opinion, is far more visually appealing and expressive than the original reference image. This is what we should strive for when using photos as references, whether they are your own or not.

To finish up this (very long) introduction, I want to tell beginner artists out there to not let anybody make you feel guilty or like less of an artist for using references!

Just make sure you are keeping any studies that could get you in trouble to yourself and that you have permission to use photographs when you are thinking of sharing your work (especially online).

Just be smart about it and keep challenging yourself to improve.

Let's get into the first part of the series!

Using Other People's Photographs to Create Art

Using other people's photographs as references for drawings or paintings is frowned upon by many people for obvious reasons. The main idea here is that, for an artwork to be truly your own, everything has to have originated from yourself as the creator, from idea, to planning, to execution.

If you didn't build it from the ground up, then it isn't totally yours and it's not completely original. As with everything else in life, there are many points of view pertaining to this. Whether its right or not could be debated until the cows come home.

What's important for you to know is that there are all different types of artists out there. There are some who only paint from life, taking days to set up their shadow boxes in their studios.

There are some who enjoy working in plein air, leaving their houses and setting up in parks or in the street to paint scenery as people walk around them. Others create collages using magazine and newspaper cutouts or ready-made supplies. The list goes on and on, and there will always be opinions about what is right or wrong, or better.

It is up to you and only you to discover what types of media and techniques you'll use to get your message out into the world. Everyone has particular tastes and different creative processes. I prefer to keep an open mind about it and don't define anything as being right or wrong.

As long as you are being respectful towards others and are doing everything in your power to create original artwork that comes from your own mind and heart, it's all good.

Read my blog post titled How to Effectively Use Other Artists' Work as Inspiration and a Great Method to Start Developing Your Own Artistic Style.

All this said, this method is going to bring you less artistic growth when compared to any of the others because you are limiting yourself to using a photograph that already exists, so I suggest making time to create your own reference library to have at hand and drawing/painting from life whenever possible.

If you're only using other people's photos because it's easier, then you are only going to grow so far.

Photograph by Ken Reid. Click on photo to go back to original source at Unsplash.com

Watercolor painting by Erika Lancaster. Watch the video to see full watercolor process!

If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share a brand new video every week with art tips, drawing and painting tutorials and mindset/productivity tips for artists. *Subscribe HERE*

Make sure you're smart when using other people's photographs!

Follow the recommendations below to ensure you are always being safe and moving forward artistically.

Tips to effectively and safely use other people's photographs to create art.

Become a Patreon community member to get access to:

-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!

*Click below to learn more!

What I Learned from Inktober and Sketch Time lapses

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10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting with Watercolors

12/4/2017

94 Comments

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting with Watercolors

It's hard for me to believe, but it's already been a year since I made the decision to get serious about advancing my drawing/painting skills and made my first investment in (actual) watercolor painting supplies. By then, I had already tried acrylics and oils, but I wanted to keep experiencing different mediums in order to see which I liked best and which complemented my art style most (this is an ongoing process btw).

I became increasingly interested in watercolor illustration and was very inspired by artists I found online. I made it my objective to paint and learn as much as possible in the afternoons after getting home from work and whenever else I could.

Though I still have a long way to go before I reach the skill level I want to be at, I have managed to advance my skills and want to share what I have learned with you. Make sure to check out the free downloadable PDF at the end of the post that you can use for practicing!

I created what I call a watercolor painting "map" for you using a reference picture of an apple. Remember that practice is what's going to make you move forward and, above all, you need to be patient with yourself. Read my blog post titled Self-Doubt as an Artist: How to Stay Confident and Keep Going.

Here are the ten things that I wish somebody had explained to me before starting with watercolors!

I really believe that if you understand these ten things and consciously apply them throughout your work, you will be able to improve your watercolor painting skills a lot faster and not waste as much money and supplies.

Watch the video, read the blog post, or better yet, do both! : )

1. Buy paper intended for watercolors

It can be extremely frustrating to feel like you're constantly fighting against your supplies when your trying to create artwork. Make things easier for yourself by actually buying paper intended for water-soluble mediums.

If you're serious about improving, do not attempt to paint on regular paper or cardboard.

Mixed-media sketchbooks may or may not work depending on the amount of paint and/or water you use, so I don't recommend them either until you gain a bit more of experience and control over this medium.

I suggest doing some quick research in order to find a brand of watercolor paper that is relatively good quality and price for you to start off with. With experience, you'll start seeing whether you prefer thicker, thinner, cold press, hot press, etc.

As my watercolor journey has progressed, I've discovered that I love thicker varieties (preferably 140 lbs. and up) because I can be pretty heavy handed with my paints and I'm pretty rough with my paintbrushes and paper!

I also like that I don't have to necessarily tape down my paper every single time I feel like painting.

Canson and Strathmore are brands that offer quality watercolor paper at accessible prices.

Watercolor paper brands I am currently working with.

2. Plan colors before starting to paint

I know this may feel like a pain, especially when you just want to get to painting. However, I ruined SO many good drawings because I was too anxious to get started and ignored the planning aspect that goes behind creating an artwork using watercolors.

Remember that truly effective artworks show harmony, unity and coherence. For this to happen, the artist must give thought to how the elements included within a composition (no matter how simple or complex) relate with and complement each other. This applies directly to the colors you use.

There's a lot of value to starting with a limited color palette. I suggest you plan and limit not only the colors you'll be using in your painting, but also decide how you'll be creating your darkest mixtures and shadows.

You can use mixtures of complementary colors, analogous colors, earth tones, etc. Planning and keeping colors in control will help ensure a more professional outcome.

Watercolor illustration of cherries showing colors used.

Watercolor cherry illustration with colors used.

3. Keep pencil sketches as light as possible

Because watercolor layers are transparent and thin, any hard pencil marks will most likely be visible through the paint at the end. I recommend using your pencil lightly when you are creating your initial sketch/map and erase at least partially afterward, if possible.

Remove any extra graphite you may have accidentally smudged on your paper while drawing using a soft and clean eraser. This will ensure a cleaner outcome at the end.

Something I have found useful is creating my initial sketch with a water-soluble gray colored pencil. That way, these lines will disappear completely as I paint. I highly recommend this method if your drawing and observation skills are already good (some lines that you weren't intending to erase could be erased).

Read more about the watercolor paper, pencils, erasers and other useful tools in my My Favorite Art Supplies (So Far) blog post. I include Amazon links to the products I've bought in case you want to give them a try.

Initial pencil sketch of a car to use for painting with watercolors.

Vintage Dodge Challenger pencil sketch on watercolor paper.

4. Protect the whites

This was so hard for me in the beginning and is still something I have to make a conscious effort to do! As previously mentioned, watercolor painting definitely requires some plan work.

When creating your initial sketch, make sure to map out/indicate where the lightest and darkest areas of your painting will be. You can see how I did this in the PDF included at the end of this post.

Once your sketch/map is complete, make sure you do your best to protect the lightest areas throughout your painting process.

I have three specific tips related to this:

a) Pick a good reference photo to work from. Artists have to develop an eye for picking out photographs that will lead to good paintings. If you'd like to read more about the characteristics that make a good reference photo and how I take my own in my studio, read my blog post titled How to Take Great Reference Photos to Use in Art and Why They Are Important. A good reference photo demonstrates a balance of darks, midtones and lights.

b) Work large. If you're creating a painting that will have a good amount of detail in it, make it easier for yourself by working larger. Water gives watercolors a mind of their own and you have to learn to work with it and not against it.

Give the paint space to do its thing! With practice, you'll naturally start learning how much water should be used in any given point and you'll be able to gain control. Later on, you can move on to smaller paintings or illustrations.

c) Use masking fluid. A lot of people abstain from using masking fluid because it adds a couple of extra steps to the process and can be time consuming. However, depending on the complexity and subject you are painting, this may be the best way to go.

Masking fluid ensures that the whites will be protected throughout the painting process and you don't have to be as careful when you're painting!

Watercolor food illustration showing white highlights.

Watercolor egg and veggie subway sandwich in process showing whites.

5. When starting to apply paint, start as light and transparent as possible

As previously mentioned, I personally tend to be quite heavy handed and have to make a conscious effort to control the amount of pigment in my paint mixtures, especially as I start a painting. Always begin with a transparent paint mixture that's nice and watery.

Work your way up towards the darker values by adding layer upon layer as needed, and allowing layers to dry in between. This method allows the beginner more control as he/she gets to know the medium.

Also, make sure to place the darkest values (paint mixtures with large amounts of pigment in them) only in the very darkest areas you see in your reference photo.

Be careful when you start placing your darkest values/highly-saturated paint mixtures or you'll risk creating a flat painting! Remember you're trying to create a large variety in values, from very light and translucent to dark and saturated, as this is what will give your painting dimension and depth.

Food watercolor illustration mid-process.

Watercolor panini in beginning stages.

6. Allow layers to dry

Once again, approach watercolor painting with patience! I honestly think that's half the battle. When I first started, I didn't understand the need to allow each layer to dry before applying the next (unless you're painting specific areas in which you want to create wet-on-wet effects). I went way beyond over-working, messing up my colors and my paper, over and over again!

It took me a bit to learn that the effects I was looking for are created with subsequent washes and by reactivating colors that are already dry.

If you're impatient like I am, I recommend working on compositions in which you can jump around from one side to the other or simply working on two separate pieces at a time, switching between them to allow them to dry whenever needed. The more realistic you want to get with your paintings, the more layers it will require.

One final recommendation, but a very important one, is to resist the urge to keep painting when you make a mistake. Let it dry and, most likely, you'll be able to fix it later or at least make it less noticeable when adding more layers.

Do not stress out when you make a mistake.

7. Don't use more than three colors in the same mixture (unless you know what you're doing)

I'm totally behind creating new paint colors and think color-mixing experiments provide us with invaluable knowledge. However, when you are attempting to create a painting, it's important that you have good understanding of the color wheel and what happens when different colors are mixed together.

I mix analogous colors together all the time when painting my middle values, but am very careful when creating my darkest hues because they usually require me to mix very different colors together.

When creating these mixtures, I make sure to prepare them and test them out before actually applying them in my paintings to make sure they are what I'm looking for! You do not want to ruin your work by applying a color that looks like mud.

Something I always do is keep a scrap piece of watercolor paper next to me as I paint in order to test colors before actually applying them. By doing this, you can ensure that both your color and level of transparency are what you actually want at that given point.

8. Clean brushes between colors

In the beginning I took for granted that watercolor pigments were easily removed from paintbrushes and didn't take the time to make sure I had removed the previous color completely before going in with the next.

If you're using the same paintbrush with very different colors, doing some gentle blotting on a rag after having rinsed it can usually help you notice if its clean. You don't want to create muddiness in your paintings that will be impossible to remove. Also, swivel your brushes in your water gently.

9. Replace your water frequently

It's important not to be lazy and replace your water when it starts to get murky because this can affect your colors and/or muddy up your work. Some artists work with several different water cups at the same time, but you'll find whatever works for you personally in time.

I'm guilty of waiting way too long before changing my water and there's nothing worse than ruining a great painting with something that could be avoided so easily.

10. Invest in quality over quantity when it comes to paint colors

I recommend doing some research and finding watercolor sets that are good in terms of quality and price. Depending on the subjects you like to paint (landscapes, interior scenery, portraits, food, etc.), you can go for sets that contain colors you will actually be using.

It's preferable to buy smaller sets that offer better quality, than larger ones with poor quality. Look for paint that has a strong color payoff and blends well when mixing.

Two brands that I recommend are Winsor & Newton (their Cotman line is great for beginners) and Sakura Koi Watercolors (good for beginners in terms of both quality and price-this one actually comes with 24 different colors). Here are the Amazon links for both:
Sakura Koi Watercolors Pocket Field Sketch Box
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolors Sketchers' Pocket Box

Sakura Koi Pocket Field Sketch Box and Winsor and Newton Cotman Sketchers' Pocket Box watercolor sets.

Feel free to download both the outline drawing, as well as the reference picture to practice below:

Initial watercolor map showing lighter and darker areas.

Watercolor sketch/map

Click on image to download reference photos.

apple_outlines_watercolor.pdf
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apple-unsplash-reference_1.jpg
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Which of these ten things gives you the most trouble? Is there any other aspect of watercolor painting that you find particularly frustrating that didn't make in on the list? I'd love to know! Let's have a discussion in the comments section below!

Tips to Combine Watercolor and Gouache Like a Pro

Using Masking Fluid with Watercolors Everything You Need to Know

94 Comments

Perspective for Beginners: How to Use 1 and 2 Point Perspectives in Art

10/9/2017

8 Comments

Perspective for Beginner Artists 1 and 2 Point Linear

Are you obsessed with those cool sketches made by artists that go outside and are able to capture cityscapes or landscapes so realistically AND so fast? Would you like to try plein air drawing or painting but feel like you'll never be able to capture your surroundings realistically? Does the word perspective scare you away or bore you to the point that you abstain entirely from creating artwork that involves different viewpoints from those you are used to?

Perspective is considered to be one of the fundamental components of drawing. A beginner artist may think that it only has to be mastered by landscape or cityscape artists, but this is not the case at all. Understanding perspective and how to create the illusion of depth is essential in order to render believable scenes in all kinds of art, whether it's still-life, interiors, and even animal and portraiture-based artwork.

In this post I will explain a few key terms and ideas to grasp before moving on to the One and Two Point Perspective drawing techniques. I will also suggest specific exercises and provide you with downloadable grids that you can use to improve your drawing and visualization skills.

With a bit of practice you'll gain the confidence to get out there and start sketching in plein air, which is so important and gratifying as an artist!

I remember first learning very basic perspective in Art class at some point in Elementary school. Our teacher taught us about simple One Point Perspective and we were asked to create a landscape drawing including a path going off into the distance.

I remember how my mind was blown back then as I started realizing that creating realistic artwork is quite simply knowing how to apply a series of optical illusions in order to make the viewer believe that a picture has real-life qualities (be it texture, volume, depth, etc.).

Later on in life, I learned about more complex perspective in one of my first semesters at university, where I took an incredibly difficult course that architecture students took. I was super scared because this class involved numbers, Geometry and being extremely clean/precise.

As a child, I had always been terrible at Math and, to the day, I have a tendency to tune out when calculations and numbers come up in conversations! The professor was incredibly strict and took off points for any little extra pencil or eraser mark on our assignments, but I passed the course and I honestly learned a ton.

That class fast-forwarded my ability to visualize objects in space and gave me the abilities I needed later in order to begin creating realistic art. I promise it is not too hard! If I can do it, you can do it!

Understanding Perspective in Real Life and in Art

Perspective is what gives a picture a sense of three-dimensionality and depth. Take a moment to look out your closest window. Observe how the trees/buildings/houses closest to you appear larger, while the trees/buildings/houses farther from you appear much smaller.

Even though the tree closest to you may, in reality, be the same size as a tree farther away from you, they appear to be different sizes to you due to the fact that you are standing at the specific point you are in.

Artists must master the ability to create this effect on a flat, two-dimensional surface, be it paper, canvas, or whatever substrate is used. The more complex a picture is, the more important it is for the artist to approach the piece in a methodical and careful fashion.

Take a minute to analyze the following famous masterpiece by the great artist Raphael.

Fresco painting by Raphael created for one of the Vatican walls. The School of Athens (1510 - 1511).

In this fresco we are able to see how the arches in the ceilings get smaller and smaller as they get farther away from us in the distance. Likewise, the human figures that are closest to us in the foreground appear larger that the people located in the middleground (more about these terms later).

The combination of all of these things creates a very effective sensation of three-dimensionality, perspective and depth. Isn't it just astounding?

This famous masterpiece is an excellent example of One Point Perspective, which we will get into in a bit. If we place the One Point Perspective grid on top of the artwork, we are able to see how the artist was able to visualize where to effectively place the elements within the painting.

Starting our work with a grid made up of straight lines, allows us to better visualize the three-dimensional space which we will place our shapes upon.

The School of Athens with a One-Point Perspective grid.

Before moving on, here's how the grid applies in a modern picture. Notice how the point at which the lines meet is off center in this image.

Picture of a dock going off into the distance over a large lake with One Point Perspective grid. Click on the picture to go find the original at the Pexels website!

Important Art Terms Related to Perspective

Before explaining how to use the One and Two Point Perspective drawing techniques, I would like to just mention a few key art terms we need to be able to understand.

1. Horizon Line
This is the line that separates sky from land (in landscapes) or sky from water (in seascapes). It is also referred to as the "eye-level" of the viewer. The Horizon Line doesn't necessarily have to be right in the middle of your picture. In fact, it is a lot better, compositionally speaking, if it is somewhere below or even above the halfway point of your drawing area.

2. Vanishing Point
The Vanishing Point is placed somewhere on the Horizon Line and it represents the farthest point in your picture. There can be a number Vanishing Points (One Point Perspective has one, Two Point Perspective has two and Three Point Perspective has three). When creating a grid, this point is were the Orthogonal Lines all meet.

3. Orthogonal Lines
Orthogonal Lines (also known as Convergence or Vanishing Lines) are key when drawing perspective. They are diagonal and recede back into the vanishing point(s). A perspective grid can have many Orthogonal Lines or very few of them, depending on the complexity of the picture. The more elements in the picture, the more lines you will probably have to include in your grid.

4. Transversal Lines
These are completely horizontal or vertical lines that are either parallel or perpendicular to the horizon line. They form rectangles or right angles along the grid and are especially useful when drawing interiors (I will provide you with an example in a bit).

5. Vantage Point
The Vantage Point refers to the specific place from which a scene is viewed. This point can actually be very high (referred to as bird's-eye) or very low (referred to as worm's-eye). It is crucial to decide where the Vantage Point is going to be in the very beginning because this will affect the placement and size of all elements within the composition.

Foreground, Middleground and Background are also helpful terms to understand because including a variety of layers within a drawing or painting really helps transmit a sensation of depth. The layer closest to the viewer is referred to as the Foreground, behind it is the Middleground and the layer furthest from the viewer (which in many cases is simply the sky) is the Background.

It varies from image to image, but the important thing is that you are able to discern which layers are closest to the viewer and which layers are farther away. This will affect the color placement within the artwork, as well as the sharpness of the elements included in each layer.

The image below is an excellent example that illustrates how the elements in the foreground are much more sharp and saturated than the layers behind it. As you can see, elements in the middle ground and background, also get cooler and cooler in temperature as they recede.

This is related to another perspective technique called Aerial Perspective which artists can employ along with linear perspective (or by itself) in order to create a sensation of depth and space.

Click on the picture to go find the original at the Pexels website!

Finally, foreshortening is a drawing technique that helps us create the illusion of an object/person/animal receding into the distance. The object, person or animal is drawn shorter, in a way that makes it seem as if one part of it is closest to the viewer and the other end is far from the viewer. It is a great way to transmit a sense of depth, even when the only subject included in an artwork is an object or a person.

When used in extremes, it creates very interesting artwork. Andrea Mantegna's famous Lamentation of Christ (1480) is an excellent example of foreshortening.

Tempera painting on canvas by Andrea Mantegna. Lamentation of Christ (1480).

The picture below also shows foreshortening. If you notice, the man's forearm appears wider than the width of his open hand. This is because his forearm is so much closer to us than his hand!

Click on the picture to download the original for free at the Pexels website!

Drawing 3-Dimensional Geometric Shapes

Knowing how to draw three-dimensional geometric shapes is absolutely necessary before moving on to using the One or Two Point Perspective drawing techniques. Why? Because, here in reality, EVERYTHING around us has volume (length, width and height). First, practice drawing simple three- dimensional shapes (use the PDFs at the end of the post titled Geometric_Shapes1 and Geometric_Shapes2 for step-by-step instructions). Once you feel more confident, try placing them within the One and Two Point Perspective grids (I have also included both grids at the end for you to use). If you are already great at this, ignore this step.

When attempting to draw any geometric shape, straight lines are important. This is even more important when creating three-dimensional shapes because they involve parallel lines and angles. Due to this, I recommend using a ruler in the beginning. If you want to get even more technical, bring out your protractor! Keep in mind that, once you have enough practice, you will be able to create 3D shapes without using any straight-edged tools. Unless you are going for a super clean and precise drawing, slight imperfections will not affect the picture if the perspective is successful overall.

How to draw 3D Geometric shapes. Download this worksheet at the end of the post.

How to Apply the One and Two Point Perspective Techniques

One, Two and Three Point Perspectives are referred to as ¨Lineal Perspectives¨, which means that they rely on the use of straight lines to depict a three-dimensional space and the forms within it. In other words, to apply these techniques we will need to prepare for our drawings by creating grids using a ruler. It is important to note that this grid should be created LIGHTLY. Though it will be heavily used throughout the drawing phase, they will be erased later on.

One-Point Perspective

One-Point Perspective Grid

The One-Point Perspective grid is made up of straight lines that converge at the Vanishing Point. Firstly, decide where your Horizon Line will be placed within your drawing area. Secondly, place your Vanishing Point somewhere on your Horizon Line (remember it does not have to be placed right in the center). Then, carefully draw straight lines from one edge of your paper to the other using a ruler, making sure that they all cross at your Vanishing Point. This kind of perspective is excellent to draw simple cityscapes, landscapes and interiors.

My suggestion would be to begin using this technique to draw simple landscapes and focus on adding in different organic elements with believable proportions. Then, master placing three-dimensional geometric shapes within the One-Point Perspective grid to effectively transmit a sensation of depth (see picture below). Afterwards, one can move on to buildings and interiors.

3D Geometric Shapes in One-Point Perspective Grid.

How to do this exercise:

1. Prepare your One-Point Perspective grid (you can download the PDF at the end or draw it for yourself).

2. Draw a few flat (two dimensional) rectangles or squares anywhere on your grid.

3. Pinpoint the corners/angles of your shapes that are closest to the Vanishing Point (see red highlights in the image).

4. Using your ruler, draw straight lines from the corners of your shapes down to the Vanishing Point. Take into account here that there may be two to three lines, depending on where you placed your shape.

5. Finally, close your shapes with vertical or horizontal lines. Remember to make these lines parallel to the lines you used in your initial two dimensional shape.

You're done!

Thumbnails showing use of 1 Point Perspective in a simple landscape and in the interior of a room.

Oil painting on canvas by Vincent Van Gogh. The Bedroom (1888).

Take a moment to analyze this important artwork by Van Gogh. Judging by the lines you can see in the image, where would you say the Vanishing Point is located?

Two-Point Perspective

Two-Point Perspective Grid

The Two-Point Perspective grid is also made up of straight lines that converge at the Vanishing Point, only this time there are two! This grid is going to help us create the effect of viewing objects (think boxes or buildings) as if we are standing on a corner. It is slightly more complex and is often used when drawing buildings in a cityscape or objects at more extreme angles. Let's start practicing! You can decide if you'd like to use the Two-Point Perspective grid I have included at the end of the post, or if you'd like to create it for yourself. Here are the steps you need to follow to make it yourself!

To prepare a Two-Point Perspective grid, I usually start by folding my paper in half both lengthwise and widthwise. The horizontal fold will be my Horizon Line in this case.

How to draw a 2-Point Perspective grid

Then, decide where your two Vanishing Points will be on this Horizon Line (I recommend placing them at a good distance from each other). You can see in the image below how I placed my two Vanishing Points close to the edges of my paper. I often like to place them at equal distances from the edges and use a ruler to help me do this.

The vertical lines you can see here will be erased and are not really a necessary part of the grid. You can also see that I have folded my paper two more times. Sometimes I like to do this because the folds help me visualize straight lines as I am creating my grids, but they are not necessary either.

How to draw a 2-Point Perspective grid

Next, create small marks using a ruler right on the central vertical fold on your paper. You can decide how close or far apart you want these marks to be (I recommend somewhere between 1.5 to 2 centimeters to start out).

How to draw a 2-Point Perspective grid

To finish the grid, carefully draw lines starting at your Vanishing Points and ending at the marks you previously created on the central vertical line. The lines you draw coming from your left and right Vanishing Points should meet, creating a symmetrical/mirrored effect.

How to draw a 2-Point Perspective grid

By this point your Two-Point Perspective grid should be finished. If you have never used this technique before, I recommend starting out by drawing simple three-dimensional geometric shapes on it. This will help you understand how it works and will set you up for success in your later drawings.

3D Geometric forms drawn in the 2-Point Perspective Grid.

Next, use the grid to create a cityscape! Remember, these buildings are nothing more than rectangular prisms with a few details added in. Nothing to be scared about!

Cityscape drawn on 2-Point Perspective grid

Cityscape created with a 2-Point Perspective grid.

After enough practice, you will be able to easily conclude what kind of drawing technique you need to apply in each project. The sketch below is something I created a while back. Where would you say that the Vanishing Point is located in this case? Remember that even though certain elements are not always visible within a final piece, the artist must always have them in mind when working so that the sense of perspective is achieved at the end.

European house ink sketch by Erika Lancaster

If you still feel a bit unsure about taking it outside, I recommend searching for pictures of buildings or houses online and apply what you have learned. Draw one single house or building three-dimensionally and move on to groups of houses, then street views, etc. I assure you, you WILL get more and more comfortable.

To conclude this post, I leave you with this great da Vinci quote about Perspective:

``Perspective is to painting what the bridle is to the horse, the rudder to a ship… There are three aspects to perspective. The first has to do with how the size of objects seems to diminish according to distance: the second, the manner in which colors change the farther away they are from the eye; the third defines how objects ought to be finished less carefully the farther away they are.´´
-Leonardo da Vinci

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Do you find it difficult to create depth and perspective in your artwork? If so what is it specifically that frustrates you? Let me know in the comments below!